MicroVision Secures Luminar Assets in Strategic $33 Million Deal

2026-01-27 companies

Redmond, Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
MicroVision prevails in a bankruptcy auction to acquire Luminar’s LiDAR business for $33 million, outbidding competitors to consolidate the market and expand its autonomous technology portfolio.

Consolidation in the LiDAR Sector

In a decisive move to strengthen its position in the autonomous driving market, MicroVision, Inc. (NASDAQ:MVIS) officially announced today, January 27, 2026, that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire select assets from Luminar Technologies, Inc. [1][3]. The transaction, valued at a cash purchase price of $33 million, was finalized following a competitive auction process conducted under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code [1][6]. This acquisition grants MicroVision ownership of critical intellectual property and inventory related to Luminar’s Iris and Halo LiDAR sensors, as well as the transfer of key engineering talent and specific commercial contracts [1][6]. The deal underscores a significant shift in the sensor industry, as companies move from a crowded field of competitors toward a more consolidated landscape of integrated solution providers [1].

Competitive Auction Dynamics

The path to this acquisition involved a heated bidding war that concluded on Monday, January 26, 2026 [2]. MicroVision faced competition from Quantum Computing Inc., which had previously agreed to purchase Luminar’s semiconductor division for $110 million in December 2025 [2]. During the auction for the LiDAR assets, Quantum Computing Inc. initially submitted a bid of $22 million and subsequently raised its offer to a ceiling of $28 million [2]. MicroVision ultimately secured the winning bid with a premium of 5 million over its competitor’s final offer [2]. This aggressive move highlights MicroVision’s commitment to capturing distressed but valuable assets to bolster its technological stack.

Strategic Rationale and Leadership Vision

MicroVision’s leadership views this acquisition as a pivotal opportunity to accelerate commercial objectives. Glen DeVos, MicroVision’s Chief Executive Officer, stated that the LiDAR market has long been “ripe for disruption and in need of further consolidation” [1]. By integrating the unique product lines developed by the Luminar team, MicroVision aims to enhance its portfolio, which already includes the MAVIN, MOVIA, and MOSAIK trademarks [1][6]. The company, headquartered in Redmond, Washington, with engineering operations in Germany and Washington D.C., intends to leverage these new assets to deliver more comprehensive perception solutions for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous mobility [1][6].

Timeline and Restructuring Context

The transaction is moving quickly through the legal channels required by the bankruptcy proceedings. A hearing to seek court approval for the sale is scheduled for the afternoon of January 27, 2026 [2]. Pending this approval, the acquisition is expected to close on or shortly after February 2, 2026 [1][6]. This sale represents the latest chapter in Luminar’s restructuring efforts; prior to the bankruptcy filing, founder Austin Russell had attempted to acquire the company outright through Russell AI Labs in October 2025 [2]. For MicroVision, the successful integration of these assets will be the next critical test as it works to dominate the evolving market for terrestrial and airborne sensor systems [1][6].

Sources

LiDAR technology Corporate acquisition